Earth

Raw rock underpinnings that billions of years ago emerged from the molten outpost we call earth, to crystalize, then to be lifted and buried again, squeezed by the enormous pressures from the overlaying surface, to form striped gneiss pocketed with boudin s (sausage shaped clumps of minerals). By looking at the geomorphology, one can see how it was shaped by ice and glaciers. Forces that smoothed the surface. Leaving steep pinnacles and broken cliffs amongst the polished stones.

Eventually time and nature has broken down the hard-resistant core forming mineral rich soils that now support the most delicate arctic cotton grass, flora and the flowers that make their presence known in the short arctic summer. And then dying they decay providing nutrients for the next generation allowing for the mushrooms and grasses to grow.

One can see solifluction, the flowing of the warmer surface humus rich surface over the permafrost providing a landscape that slowly moves downhill. Finally freezing again and covered with snow, it lies waiting for the next season and to repeat the cycle.